Schipperke

Originally from Belgium, the Schipperke weighs between 11 to 18 pounds. They are small black dogs with pricked ears and a medium length outer coat and a thick under coat. The Schipperke is the proverbial "big dog in a little dog's body." He's active, confident, and curious. This breed is very friendly, adaptable, and easy to train and care for.

Common Health Conditions

Cushing’s Disease is a malfunction of the adrenal glands causing them to produce too much steroid hormone. This is a common problem in dogs, and your Little Skipper is more likely than other dogs to be affected.

The pancreas is the organ that produces digestive enzymes and insulin. Some dogs, like your Schip, are prone to developing pancreatitis, which is inflammation of this important organ.

In Schipperkes, the cartilage rings are sometimes weak or have formed incorrectly. The trachea can collapse and become too narrow, which leads to coughing and difficulty breathing.